The American Red Cross has put out another call for blood, with donations lagging and the agency hitting what is being described as a “historically low” blood supply. The holiday season is traditionally a slower time for donations, so the Red Cross wants to remind the community that their donations are essential to making sure patients requiring a transfusion don’t face a delay in care.

Joe Zydlo (ZID-low), the External Communications Manager for the American Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region, says this is something they haven’t seen in about a decade.

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply of blood is available. Appointments can be made by calling 1-800-RED CROSS, on the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or by visiting redcrossblood.org